• CM to inaugurate audio-visual 3D experience theatre 
• Set up at KEA premises, this is the third such Gallery dedicated to rivers in India

Mysore/Mysuru: Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will open the Cauvery Gallery that has been set up at Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Grounds, next month. All the proposed works have been completed and the beautification has been done. The Gallery will be open to the public after inauguration. 

As a prelude to the inauguration by the CM, Mysuru District Minister S.T. Somashekar visited the Gallery at Kannada Karanji Building last evening and was impressed by the audio-visual experience. 

He viewed the 3D presentation of the visually appealing Gallery that showcases the life, culture and biodiversity along the River from its birth at Talacauvery in Kodagu till it reaches the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu. 

The exhibits at the Gallery also include multimedia features and electronic display to provide the visitors an immersive experience of life and culture along the Cauvery River. Spending some time at the Gallery along with other elected representatives and officials, Somashekar said that the Gallery would become a must-visit destination for tourists. He asked the Gallery creators to maintain it well to provide top-notch information to the visitors. 

The Gallery, built jointly by Karnataka Knowledge Commission and Tourism Department, highlights the geological and ecological characteristics of Cauvery River apart from projecting the social and cultural characteristic features of civilisation that have evolved along the river bank. National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) is the implementing agency.

15,000 square feet area

The Cauvery Gallery here is the third such one in the country. There is a Gallery for River Brahmaputra in Guwahati and River Ganga has a Gallery in Allahabad. The Cauvery Gallery has been built in an area of 15,000 square feet. 

Artefacts and dolls tell the story of Cauvery River from Talacauvery (birthplace in Kodagu) to Poompuhar. Pictures, live visuals, models of the river flowing from one part to another criss-crossing the hills and plains narrate the story giving an audio-visual and also pictorial presentation to the viewer.

Adding human presence amidst nature, the story also narrates about human settlements and temples on the banks of the river along with places of tourist interest. Various communities that have a close affinity with Cauvery like the Kodava community find representation. Also, prominent waterfalls like Shimsha, rugged terrain like Mekedatu and picturesque Hogennakal have been featured.

Ancient art and architecture

The Gallery is the pet project of Karnataka Knowledge Commission Chairman Prof. K. Kasturirangan, who is a retired Director, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 

Along with the presentation of nature, the Gallery is also highlighting art and architecture of Cholas, Gangas and Hoysalas, who ruled the land for centuries. 

One of its main attractions is the 3D theatre where movies and documentaries on Cauvery are screened. Movies on conserving the river, increasing green cover around the river for sustenance, places and industries polluting the river will be shown to spread awareness.

Accompanying Minister Somashekar during his visit were MP Pratap Simha, MLA L. Nagendra, Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman H.V. Rajeev, KEA Chairman Hemanth Kumar Gowda, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Bagadi Gautham and KEA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Girish.